Men's Golf Moves Into a Tie for Second Place at U.S. Collegiate Championships

Courtesy: Arizona Athletics
Release: 04/06/2002

Courtesy: Arizona Athletics

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April 6, 2002

TUCSON, Ariz. - The wind picked up at Tucson National Golf Course and took the scores with it as just one team and six individuals broke par Saturday during the second round of play at the PING-U.S. Collegiate Championships.

Battling wind gusts up to 35 mph, tournament-host Arizona took advantage of the challenging conditions to move into a tie for second place in the 10-team field. The Wildcats entered the day 12 strokes off the lead and in eighth place before posting a 287 (-1) on Saturday to trim three shots off its deficit and move into a tie for second place with Oklahoma State at 577 (+1). Texas continues to lead the elite field with a two-round total of 568 (-8).

Leading the way for Arizona was sophomore Andy Connell, who's three-under-par 69 Saturday was the low round of the day. He was one of just six players to break par in the 63-man field. It was his low round of the season and the first time the native of Denver, Colo., has broken par in 2001-02. The effort moved Connell into a tie for 48th place with a two-round total of 153 (+9).

UA sophomore Chris Nallen remains in the hunt for individual medalist honors, as he stands tied for third place at 138 (-6). Nallen shot a second-round 73 and is tied with Texas' J.J. Wall three strokes out of the lead. Oklahoma State's Hunter Mahan carded a one-over 73 Saturday and retained the overall lead at 135 (-9), two strokes ahead of Texas' John Klauk.

Two Wildcat teammates remain in the top 20, as junior Ricky Barnes and freshman Kipp Riehle are in a group of four golfers tied for 19th place at 147 (+3). Barnes carded a second-round 75, while Riehle registered a 73. Junior Reid Hatley fired an even-par 72 and moved into a tie for 36th place at 151 (+7).

The 54-hole, 10-team tournament concludes Sunday at Tucson National Golf Course, a par 72, 7,094-yard layout. The final round is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. PDT.